This is an interesting and very rare work in the now little-known, mostly Protestant tradition of Biblical mining history. Zehner's sermons constitute a study of mining history from the Old Testament, considering Tubalcain as the first miner and smelting-master of the antediluvian world, followed by post-diluvian mining history. He discusses the moral issues involved when good, Christian miners have inherited their art from such a shameful origin among the “mostly godless, raw folk of the accursed lines of Cain, Ham, and Canaan.” Questions of the generation and geography of ore and precious stone occurrences are also considered; and it is especially here that citations of Old Testament books are supplemented by classical Greek and Latin sources, including Aristotle, Strabo, Herodotus, Ovid, and Pliny. One of the rarest books we have yet sold.

About Me

We handle 16th-18th century printed books covering several branches of the physical sciences, with a specialization in the history of the chemical sciences, including alchemy and its interrelated fields of chemical medicine and pharmacy, mineralogy and mining. Additionally, we have a particular interest in editions of Paracelsus' works.
We sell mostly by direct quote to our clients, but inquiries are are certainly welcome. Please just send us an e-mail with any questions or comments you might have: norrisjohn1 "at" gmail.com.
John Norris holds a Ph.D. in the history of science from Charles University in Prague (2006) and a Master's degree in geochemistry from the University of Georgia (1996). He has published several articles concerning the relations between alchemy, mineral theories, and mining. Professional bookseller since 2009.